“Born Alive” legislation headed to governor

The governor is expected to soon sign a bill that would ensure a fetus which survives an abortion attempt is considered a “person” and cannot be treated as medical waste. The bill cleared the House Thursday, a day after it passed by a unanimous vote.

Sen. Chip Campsen (R-Charleston)

The 107-0 vote came after the Senate approved it 27-3 last month. Since abortion is usually a controversial, hot-button issue, supporters said the overwhelming vote was significant.

“Even those who are pro-abortion can agree with this,” said Sen. Chip Campsen (R-Charleston), “When that child is outside the womb, that child is entitled to protection.”

The proposal defines a “person” as anyone who is breathing and has a beating heart after birth, whether by labor, caesarean section, or abortion. Campsen says that means a fetus which survives an abortion attempt would be entitled to treatment.

It is rare for a fetus to survive an abortion procedure. Campsen admitted he was not aware of any instance in South Carolina, but said there have been other cases around the country where still-living fetuses were simply abandoned.

South Carolina does not allow late-term abortions, so any fetuses covered by the new law would be severely undeveloped and unlikely to live long outside the womb. Campsen said he wants to make sure it is still treated humanely.